Washington DC Family Maternity Photographer | National Cathedral Maternity Session

I am a little behind on the blog but I wanted to take some time today to share with you some images from this sweet family maternity session at the National Cathedral in DC. I love shooting at the National Cathedral because it’s beautiful and there’s several areas that are perfect for your family photo session.

We started off in the backyard and then moved our way to the Bishop’s Garden. The Bishop’s Garden includes beautiful blooms, architecture, and a Koi pond.

You couldn’t really tell it was a little bit of chilly day in the DC area. I think this family’s gallery is beautiful!

Check out other blog posts from the National Cathedral:

Choosing a Family Photographer

One Year Milestone Session at the National Cathedral

It was so nice to document this family before baby brother arrives. Did you know that all of your family members can be included at your maternity session? Of course they can!

Send me a message to schedule your maternity and newborn sessions!

Maternity Session at Brookside Gardens

One thing that a small business owner will tell you is how grateful we are for referrals! One of my mom friends has a daughter the same age as my daughter and I’ve been lucky to photograph them twice already. She referred me to one of her friends that she knew was expecting a little one and was looking for a maternity and newborn photographer. I was so excited to be contacted by this family to document this special time as they welcome their first child. I absolutely am in love with the way this maternity gallery turned out!

This maternity session was at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton Maryland and wow, it’s such a magical place!

Mama was glowing and we even got Dad to participate in a few of the photos as well. Let’s talk about this mama’s beautiful dress! Brookside Gardens made for the perfect backdrop for this expecting family.

Related Maternity Blog Posts:

5 Tips for a Successful Family Session

In Home Maternity Session

10 Must Have Photos for your In Home Maternity Session

are you thinking about scheduling your maternity and newborn sessions? say hello!

6 types of light I use when taking photos

There are so many different styles of photography and I wanted to write a blog post to share some examples of different ways to use light at a photo session. I have a pretty consistent style to the photos I take, whether I’m in the family’s home or outdoors. The way I pose and guide, promote child and family connection, and compose my images are consistent across my sessions. It’s lifestyle photography! If I am in a home that is bright and has colorful decor and has a lot of natural light, it will be an easy choice to go with composing and editing the images to be bright with the setting. It drives me crazy to see photography edits that make a photo look super dark and moody when actually it was bright and daylight outside. I tend to go with the ambience of the session and location.

One reason that I choose not to be a studio photographer is that I like to use light differently, again, for the reasons I mentioned above. Time of day, location, and available light all contribute to what a final image will look like.

Keep reading to see the different types of light I like to use at family and newborn sessions:

backlight/rim light

The sun sets behind the trees at this location and it’s so beautiful to see the sun shining through the trees, illuminating the subjects and getting some rim light! These weren’t quite golden hour but I chose to backlight this mama and her son to have a brighter, joyful look in this image.

golden hour

Depending on the location of the session, we can choose to shoot at golden hour which is the hour right before the sun sets. There is a creamy golden haze that can only be seen twice a day. I’m all about a morning golden hour session but most often the evening golden hour is more preferred for families and young children!

open shade / flat light

This photo session was from an in home newborn session, where we started inside and then came outside for the second half of the session. By the time we came outside there was plenty of sun shining into the family’s backyard so we found an area that was under the trees and well shaded. This type of light is known as flat light. It’s clean and I use it a lot depending on how the light shines through the location. There isn’t as much dimension and the light is pretty even on the subjects which means no eye squinting! ;-)

flash

I always bring my flash during in home sessions just in case we need more light in the rooms. This maternity session was done in the early evening and there wasn’t much light coming through the windows. The nursery as you cam see, has bright color and details that I wanted to capture. We would have had a totally different feel had I used just the natural window light, but I purposely used flash to keep this image bright and colorful.

dappled light

It’s always fun to do something a little different and use light in a new way. I was just photographing this mama in another area of the bedroom when I happened to notice the way the dappled light was coming through the window. I chose to show the color image here but the black and white also looked great with the contrast of all of the lines!

dramatic light

I loved this corner at this family’s home and knew I wanted to do something a little different here too. We took several photos upstairs with the flash and I knew in this specific area I wanted to use the directional light from the window and a lower exposure to create a more intimate image. And of course to focus on this little girl’s beautiful red hair.

It’s always fun to push my creativity to be able to fill your gallery after your family session.

Send me a message to schedule your family session!

DMV Maternity Photographers | In Home Maternity Ideas

There’s usually SO much that comes out of a photo shoot that is right in the comfort of your own home! I typically offer in home lifestyle newborn sessions and I did something a little different offering this in home maternity session. And now I want to photograph more families in their home!

When you decide to schedule a maternity session, you may have a good idea of what you’d want your maternity session to look like. Being a lifestyle photographer, my sessions are, you guessed it- lifestyle!

So what does an in home maternity session look like?

snuggling in close with your family 

It’s so important to get a photo of the entire family, even when you book a maternity session! Maternity sessions are focused on photographing you as a beautiful expecting mama and making sure your family can be included in the session as well. We started the session getting in close and snuggling.

using your home environment 

Of course we are in your home and we use your home elements! This can mean a colorful girls room, it can mean photographing a cool wall, a rug, or anything else that has meaning to you. Photography is all about capturing this moment in time and what your life and home looks like in this moment!

unique posing with the bed

After we were finished with snuggles with the whole family I wanted to get mama with her girls and show off her youngest baby in her belly. I worked with the light and wanted to do something fun so had mama lay down and the girls were willing participants to be close to mama and their baby sibling. It’s fun to move around and get different angles that all help to tell a story.

dramatic window light 

Most of the photos you see on my website are bright images with contrast and color. I do also like to experiment with light and window light. The nursery didn’t have a lot of light but I did see a pocket of light to use so we moved the crib and I used this time to focus on mama. I love the contrast and the darker editing on these and it helps to focus on her new and exciting bundle of joy that will be joining the family very soon.

kitchen light 

Towards the middle of the session the girls wanted a snack so I grabbed some photos of just mom and dad. Their kitchen light was amazing and who would have thought to use the kitchen? During your in home family session we will use areas in your home with great light, or light that will make an interesting photo. I loved the brightness of the kitchen photos and it was so awesome to photograph mom & dad’s sweet love!

incorporating child elements 

This family had a wall of the girls’ art and I knew I needed to take a few photos to document this special element during their in home session. Do you have anything that is special to your child or anything that you think would be important to look at 10 years from now? This can be something your child made, a hand me down/handmade blanket, or even a photo in your child’s room. I don’t have many photos of myself in my baby room so I love providing this gift for families as memories.

using the front door

At the end of this family’s session we had some playtime in the backyard and then took some photos right in the front of the house. I loved the way they turned out!

Thinking of booking a maternity session? Check out the Maternity Gallery

How to Look Your Best in Family Photos | Atlanta Family Photographers

Have you ever wondered what to wear to your family session? You are not the only one!

When you’ve got family pictures scheduled not only are you trying to pick the best time and get all of the family members excited about the family session, but you also want to look great in the photos. There is not much I recommend not wearing to your family shoot so I’ll mainly focus on what you can wear!

How to look your best in family photos

Be comfortable

First and foremost, if you don’t feel comfortable you won’t look comfortable! Try picking out clothing that you would normally wear when you are with your family. I mostly photograph connection and engagement and this includes movement with families. I would encourage you to look in your closet and find something that allows you to move in comfortably. Mom, this can mean that you find an outfit that most flatters you and makes you look beautiful. This can be a cute top and jeans, or it can be a maxi dress that allows you to bend down with the littles and be able to move freely. Once you’ve done that, gather some outfits of the rest of your family that will compliment your outfit. Dad, dress in something you’re comfortable such as a button down or Henley top and jeans. I would recommend avoiding sneakers and flip flips, and rather closed toed shoes that compliment your outfit.

Pick 2-3 Base Colors

There are so many stylish outfits and clothing options these days so it’s helpful that what your family wears allows you to compliment one another and not be too “matchy matchy”. If you normally don’t go out wearing identical outfits let’s not do that for family photos. This isn’t the decade that we all want to wear the exact same white top and khaki pants. Just don’t do it. We want to show uniqueness and personality! Take a look in your home and you may notice that you are a family that gravitates towards neutrals, or you may be a family that likes pops of color. Whatever your style, think about that when you are getting everyone dressed. In the spring feel free to wear lighter colored clothing, with colors that compliment one another and go together. In the fall it could be darker colors such as navy blue, magenta, mustard yellow, and blacks. Still aren’t sure? Feel free to check out my Pinterest Board and look up a color wheel to see which colors can help go together and compliment one another.

Add layers and textures

This can be a necklace or scarf or can be a light sweater. If your family members are wearing mainly solid colors, feel free to put one of your family members in a patterned shirt to mix it up. You can all still match one another even if you are mixing up the colors and textures of your outfits.

Avoid logos, large graphics, neons

We want your family photos to be timeless and sometimes having large logos and graphics on clothing can be distracting. Try to stay away from having large print or dated photos on your clothing. I would also encourage you away from wearing neon colors. There may be a time and place for neon clothing, but typically it isn’t the best for family photos and you will have a hard time making everyone’s outfits go together for family photos. The neons usually don’t photograph as well.

I hope this guide was helpful for planning your next family session.

Please check out more photos from my family portfolio so you can know what to expect during our session.

I also have a link to my contact form where we can chat about booking your next family session. I can’t wait to hear from you!

10 Must Have Photos for Your In-Home Maternity Session

When you start planning your maternity session, one of the first decisions other than when to schedule, is where to have your session. You can think about an area, environment, even maybe a backdrop that feels most meaningful.

What I love most about in-home maternity sessions is how personal they feel. Your home isn’t just a place. It’s where your baby will be welcomed. It’s where you’ll spend those first quiet weeks together, and where so many of your family’s memories will take place.

Your baby may not be here yet, but this season deserves to be documented in the space that already holds so much anticipation and love.

To help you make the most of your session, I’ve put together a list of 10 meaningful images to consider for your in-home maternity session.

10 Must have photos for your in-home maternity session

1. A wide view of the nursery

I love beginning sessions with a wide perspective of the nursery. Using a wide-angle lens allows me to capture the entire space so that you can see all the thoughtful details that went into preparing for your baby.

These images become even more meaningful later when families look back and remember what life felt like before their little one arrived.

2. The bump (of course!)

Helloooo Mama, you’ve got a baby bump, this is your moment! Choose something comfortable that allows you to move easily, while also highlighting your belly.

3. The family connection

One of the reasons I love lifestyle photography is that it tells a story.

Your maternity session isn’t just about documenting a pregnancy. It’s also about capturing your family as it is right now, before everything changes in the most beautiful way.

Including partners and siblings adds so much emotion and connection to your images.

4. Fun and interesting areas in nursery

Can we just take a second to talk about this wall? It’s amazing! When you see areas in the home that you want to incorporate into the photos, totally do it! I knew I needed to get this wall and all of the hard work that was put into designing it! Spaces like this are meaningful and thought through intentionally and deserve to be remembered.

5. Important family items

Sometimes family members and friends will give gifts to the baby. This can mean a hand made blanket, a photo frame, or a special book. Incorporating them into your maternity session helps preserve the excitement and thoughtfulness surrounding your baby’s arrival. Bonus points if you incorporate a book written by Jimmy Fallon. Love him!

6. Primary bedroom

The main bedroom often adds a beautifully intimate and relaxed feel to in-home maternity sessions.

It’s also one of the most natural spaces to transition into during newborn sessions, which is one of the reasons I love photographing families in their homes before and after baby arrives.

Many of my maternity clients return for newborn sessions, and it’s incredibly special to document that full journey in the same meaningful spaces.

7. Color and personality in your home

Homes with interesting colors, textures, or furniture create wonderful opportunities for variety in your gallery, and I always look for this when I’m at a photo session. This chair was a perfect furniture piece to use for this maternity session. Mama had an idea to use this chair in her bedroom and it contrasted so nicely with her dress!

8. An outfit that makes you feel beautiful

Your maternity session should feel effortless, not stressful or overly styled.

Choose an outfit that feels like you and allows you to move comfortably. Flowing dresses, and soft comfortable fabrics often work beautifully in home settings. This can look like a fitted maternity dress, or if you want more of a relaxed feel this may look like a relaxed blouse and pants.

9. Pets

Pets are part of your family so why not make them part of your family photos? They are also so smart and can often know that something exciting (or different!) is happening. Including pets in your session adds even more personality and uniqueness to your images.

10. Nursery details

When you put so much time and effort into the nursery it can be easy to forget to focus on the details. Photographing items like books, stuffed animals, tiny clothing, the changing table, helps to push pause on this fleeting season of waiting and preparing to meet baby.

Why Families Love In-Home Maternity Sessions

In-home maternity sessions are relaxed, flexible, and deeply personal.

They allow you to:

• Stay comfortable in your own space

• Include meaningful environments

• Capture your real daily life

• Create continuity for newborn sessions

Many families in the Washington, D.C. area choose to bundle maternity and newborn sessions so they can document the full story, from anticipation to those first days at home with their baby.

It’s one of my favorite parts of this work: seeing families return, watching them grow, and preserving those special and unique transitions.

Planning Your In-Home Maternity Session in Washington, D.C.

If you’re expecting and considering an in-home maternity session in Washington, D.C. area, I’d love to help you plan an experience that feels relaxed, meaningful, and true to your family.

You can explore more from the maternity gallery here.

If you are interested in booking a lifestyle session, head on over to my contact page and we will be in touch!